Head Quarters 137^th Reg^t P.V.

Camp near Belle Plain V^a

February 4^th 1863

           

Dear Jacob

                        Yours of January 23^d reached me yesterday and was perused with much interest and pleasure. When I wrote you last our Regiment was up in Maryland; we were entirely out of postage stamps, and had no means of getting any, so that I was under the necessity of having my letter franked, but I know that you will overlook it. I will proceed to give you a short history of the movements of our Regiment since I wrote you last. On the 18^th of last October when we lay near Hagerstown M.D. our Regiment was detached from the Brigade to which it belonged, and ordered back to Washington. We accordingly started on the same day and after traveling two days by R. Road arrived at the Capitol of the United States. We were encamped within two miles of the city about six weeks during that time I visited every place of any importance in Washington. On the 30^th of last November our Reg^t received orders to march the next morning and our Col was appointed to the command of a Brigade of six Regiments encamped in the vicinity of Washington. we took up our line of march the next morning and after traveling four days arrived at Aquia Creek V^a. Our Col was in command of that post about six weeks (during that time I acted as his clerk) / when he was relieved from the Command by an officer of the same rank and he returned to take command of his Reg^t.      Two weeks ago to day, in accordance with orders secured, our Regt took the cars for Potomac Station to join our Brigade which lay at that place on their way to the intended attack of Fredericksburg. but the whole army was obliged to retrace their steps owing to the heavy rain which set in. By order of the Co^l I remained with the baggage train which started on after the Reg^t and after a march of three days came up to our Reg^t where we are now encamped, about ten miles from Fredericksburg. But Oh! such seas of mud man or mule never before waded through. in some places our wagons stuck hub deep; we had to pitch in and pry them up and double team out. I got along very well having a mule to ride which is not the prettiest animal in the world, but it answered my purpose. I was very much interested with your account of Fitches exploits and adventures in the late Indian war which has been raging upon the frontier of Minnesota, the accounts of which I read in the papers, and which increased my anxiety to hear from you, because I knew that you did not live a great way from that fierce and warlike tribe the Sioux. I am very glad that the people in your county escaped from the horrors of such a scene. Oh! how much I would like to see Fitch and hear him tell of the dangers through which he has passed. You know with what a gusto he used to tell us stories. I will wait impatiently for his address. I am very glad to learn / that you are attending school I knew you had not departed from your former aspirations. but I do not want you to think of coming into the Army, one from your family is sufficient and further more you would be losing time which you could not make up in after years, and there are enough young men in the Army already. I received a letter from Wesley Pierson a short time since he is still in M^r Tafts Store. I received a letter from home to day my folks were well. Soldiering agrees with me very well I have not been sick a day so as not to be able to attend to my business and weigh twenty five pounds more than when I left home. I am still doing the business in the Adjutants Office. The Col and his staff seem to appreciate my services and have given me the assurance that when I leave the Reg^t it will be with papers that will insure me any position in the Army hereafter that I may desire. Our time expires about the 1^st of May next. If I should not conclude to come into the Army again you need not be surprised if you should see out to Red Wing next summer. You must not delay writing or be afraid of wearying me with long letters. The longer the better.

           

Give my love to your family,

                       

Hoping to hear from you soon           

I remain your Sincere friend

Francis. P. Longstreet

 

Address.         

Francis. P. Longstreet

137^th Reg^t P.V.

Washington D.C.

 In Care of Co^l H. M. Bossert.

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